Mljet
From CruisersWiki
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Mljet Island in Croatia.
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 | 42°45.12′N, 17°31.68′E |
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 | Photo gallery |
 | Chartlet |
 | Interactive map of harbours and anchorages |
Mljet Island lies off the mainland coast of Croatia, at the S end of the long chain of Dalmatian islands that ends at the port of Dubrovnik. Mljet is the closest of the larger islands to the resort of Dubrovnik and is consequently one of the most visited, especially by day trippers. However, its paucity of accommodation means that the island is tranquil once the tripper boats return to base. The north western part of the island - scenically the most beautiful - has been a national park since 1960 and, apart from a few restaurants, a hotel, some national park buildings and a converted Benedictine monastery on an island in the lake of Veliko Jezero, no development has been allowed. There are no marinas on the island, just a scattering of small harbours and anchorages (almost all along the N coast) whose quays, where they exist, are largely dominated by restaurant moorings. Although its harbours and anchorages are very busy with visiting yachts during the summer, Mljet is the highlight of a cruise in the Dalmatian islands for most people.
Charts
- British Admiralty
- 1580
- Croatian charts
- MK24
- Imray
- M26 (Split to Dubrovnik)
Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
Weather
Diurnal winds among the islands are mostly moderate during the summer months, predominantly from NW and rarely exceeding force 4/5, although gusting is common in narrow channels between islands and on the lee side of headlands. At night, katabatic winds off the mountains affect some of the islands close to the mainland coast. During early spring and (especially) autumn conditions can be more unsettled, occasionally accompanied by violent thunderstorms - luckily of short duration - with winds of 30-35 knots or more and vicious, steep seas. In the winter the sudden, violent N wind off the mountains, the bora, is much to be feared, especially along the coast from Rijeka down to Zadar, although its effects can be felt as far south as Split.
Equally prevalent in winter - although not uncommon in summer - is the scirocco, a S/SE wind that blows up from North Africa, usually in advance of a depression moving E across the Mediterranean. Unlike the bora, the scirocco only occasionally exceeds gale force, but is still a phenomenon to be wary of, especially if on a lee coast.
For sources of weather forecasting, see Croatia.
Check-in facilities (Customs and Immigration)
Dubrovnik is the nearest year round port of entry.
Berthing Options
There are a total of eight principal berthing options on the island, the main harbour of Polace at the NW end, then anti-clockwise round the island the harbours of Pomena, Okuklje, Sobra and Kozarica, plus anchorages at U. Saplunara, U. Veli Skolj and U. Prozura.
Click on link at top right of page for Interactive map of harbours and anchorages or for full details see below.
Ports
The harbours on Mljet are listed anti-clockwise from the main port of Polace.
– anchorage ||Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Anchorages
The main anchorages are towards the E end of the island and are as follows:
U. Saplunara
Template:Poi coord - Chartlet
The bay of U. Saplunara is situated on the W side of a club-shaped isthmus at the extreme SE end of the island. The head of the inlet has a nice sandy beach and the surroundings are pleasant and well-forested. Anchor at the N end of the bay in 5.0 - 6.0 metres. The holding is good in sand with patches of weed. Shelter here is excellent in all but SW and S winds. Basic provisions from village of Saplunara on E side of bay. Restaurant in village.
U. Veli Skolj
Template:Poi coord - Chartlet
The anchorage of U. Veli Skolj lies at the easternmost end of the island, between the coast and the two offshore islets of Veli Skolj and Mali Skolj. The anchorage offers reasonable shelter in settled weather but should be avoided with anything E in the wind. Anchor in 4.0 - 7.0 metres in the channel wherever there is space. Holding is good in sand. Note if swimming off the boat that there is a weak current flowing through the channel.
U. Prozura
Template:Poi coord - Chartlet
The bay of U. Prozura is situated on the N coast of the island, just under a mile W of the harbour of Okuklje. The bay is partly sheltered from N by the islets of Planjak and Borovac. Safest approach is on the W side of Planjak, as the E side has dangerous shoals. In the smaller E cove, there is a tiny quay at Konoba Marijina with just two berths, which is however too shallow for most yachts, which use one of the six marked mooring buoys in the same cove if patronising the establishment. The quay of Konoba Barba in the main cove has four laid moorings in depths of just 1.5 - 1.8 metres, plus a further four marked yellow mooring buoys in 5.0 - 6.0 metres for patrons. There are four additional (unmarked) orange mooring buoys further out in 10 metres, which can also be picked up. If anchoring, it will probably be necessary to drop in around 10 metres to avoid the mooring buoys. The holding is good in sand and weed. Shelter in the bay is good in virtually all conditions, although there is a swell with strong N winds.
Take care in the very north east of the smaller east cove. We picked up a discarded anchor chain with our anchor (Zebahdy of London - Aug 2015).
Offshore Islands
Yacht Services and Repairs
None.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
No fuel berth. Water and electricity at some restaurant quays. For details see port entries.
Things to do Ashore
Click for larger view
Click for larger view
Click for larger view
Tourism
The ‘must see’ attractions of Mljet Island are the two interconnected lakes, Malo and Veliko Jezero, at the NW end of the island. The lakes are in the national park and an entry fee of 100 kuna (2014) per person is payable on berthing in Polace or Pomena (though not if only dining at the restaurants). This price includes entry to the park (valid for a week), a bus to and from Veliko Jezero and access (via a short boat ride) to the former Benedictine monastery of Sv. Marija, which is being steadily restored following damage during Croatia's war of independence and has a cafe and restaurant. It is also possible to walk or cycle the route to and around the lakes (cycles can be hired in the villages or at the lakes themselves), which is a much more rewarding if rather more energetic option. Between the two lakes is a channel dug by the Benedictine monks to provide motive power for a mill from the tidal currents into Veliko Jezero. Depending on the state of tide, a current can be seen rushing through the shallow sea inlet at the E end of Veliko Jezero, the pleasant walk or cycle to which goes along the S or N side of the lake. Except when the current is very strong, a ferry boat takes pedestrians and cyclists (with their bikes) across the narrows to enable them to complete the circuit of the lakes. In Polace the main attractions are the remains of a Roman palace, dating back to the 5th or 6th centuries, which are conspicuous on the W side of the bay. Next to the ruins are the remains of a 5th century early Christian basilica.
Transportation
Regular ferries to Dubrovnik on mainland from Sobra.
Routes/Passages To/From
See Croatia.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
- Mljet at the Wikipedia
See Croatia.
References & Publications
See Croatia.
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 2014 --Athene of Lymington
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Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington |
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